Tool assembly

Abstract

A tool assembly includes a handle, a main tube and an implement. The main tube has a slot at one end and a detent proximate to the slot. The detent is movable between an extended position and a retracted position and is biased toward the extended position. The handle has a handle tube. The implement includes an implement tube. Both the handle tube and the implement have a hole and a crossmember fixed onto the inner surface of the implement tube or the handle tube. The handle tube, the main tube, and the implement tube are so configured that when the main tube is inserted into the implement tube or the handle tube, the detent is secured within the hole of the implement tube or the handle tube and the crossmember of the implement tube or the handle tube rests against the slots of the main tube.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tool assembly comprising: 
 a main tube having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, said main tube defining a first slot at said first end and including a first detent proximate to said slot, said first detent being movable between an extended position and a retracted position and being biased toward said extended position; and    an implement including an implement tube having a longitudinal axis, a lower end and an upper end, said upper end defining a hole and including a crossmember fixed onto an inner surface of said implement tube;    wherein said main tube and said implement tube are so configured that when said main tube is inserted into said implement tube, said first detent is secured within said hole of said implement tube and said crossmember rests against said first slot, whereby said main tube is securely connected to said implement tube.    
     
     
         2 . The tool assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said crossmember has the central axis that is substantially perpendicular to that of said implement tube; said hole is spaced-apart from said crossmember along the length of said implement tube.  
     
     
         3 . The tool assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said hole has a central axis that is angled from the central axis of said crossmember.  
     
     
         4 . The tool assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said implement is a tine, and said main tube further defines a second slot at said second end and includes a second detent proximate to said second slot; said second detent being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and being biased toward said extended position; said gardening tool assembly further comprising a handle, said handle having a handle tube including a lower end defining a hole and including a crossmember fixed onto an inner surface of said handle tube, wherein said main tube and said handle tube are so configured that when said main tube is inserted into said handle tube, said second detent is secured within said hole of said handle tube, said crossmember of said handle tube rests against said second slot, whereby said main tube is securely connected to said handle tube.  
     
     
         5 . The tool assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the axis of said crossmember of said handle tube is substantially perpendicular to that of said handle tube; said hole of said handle tube is spaced-apart from said crossmember along the length of said handle tube.  
     
     
         6 . The tool assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said hole of said handle tube has a central axis that is angled from the central axis of said crossmember of said handle tube.  
     
     
         7 . The tool assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said central axis of said hole is substantially 90 degree from the central axis of said crossmember.  
     
     
         8 . The tool assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said tine further having a wavy profile along the length of said tine, said wavy profile being connected to said lower end of said tine, and initially projecting outward from the longitudinal axis of said implement tube and, thereafter, extending in a direction away from said upper end of said implement tube and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said implement tube.  
     
     
         9 . The tool assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said handle further includes a middle section which extends outward from said main tube in two opposite directions, and two end sections extending outward from terminal ends of the middle section, each end section having a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axes of the end sections being substantially parallel to one another and lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said handle tube, said longitudinal axis of each end section further oriented such that neither axis is substantially tangential to an arc of any imaginary circle having said upper end of said handle tube as its center and lying in said plane, wherein said two end sections of said handle extend outward from terminal ends of the middle section at obtuse angles.  
     
     
         10 . The tool assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said implement tube further comprises a second hole symmetrically positioned to said crossmember as opposed to said first hole; and said handle tube further comprises a second hole symmetrically positioned to said crossmember as opposed to said first hole.  
     
     
         11 . The tool assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said first hole and said second hole of said implement tube each share a central axis that is substantially perpendicular to that of said implement tube and that of said crossmember of said implement tube; and said first hole and said second hole of said handle tube each share a central axis that is perpendicular to that of said handle tube and that of said crossmember of said handle tube.  
     
     
         12 . The tool assembly of  claim 11 , wherein one of said axis of said holes and said crossmembers of said handle is substantially perpendicular to said axis of said middle section of said handle.  
     
     
         13 . The tool assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said crossmember of said implement tube is positioned between said first hole and said second hole, and said lower end of said implement tube; and said crossmember of said handle tube is positioned between said first hole and said second hole, and said upper end of said handle tube.  
     
     
         14 . The tool assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said first detent and said second detent of said main tube each are biased by a reed, said reed having a first end connect with the inner surface of said main tube, a second end fixed onto each of said first detent or said second detent and a detent hole that the detent can readily go through when moving between said retracted and said extended position.  
     
     
         15 . The tool assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said tine has a diameter that is substantially constant along a substantial length of said tine.  
     
     
         16 . The tool assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the midpoint position of the diameter of said tine is substantially constant along a substantial length of said tine;  
     
     
         17 . The tool assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said gardening tool assembly further comprising a plurality of tines, each connected to said lower end of said implement tube and initially projecting outward from the longitudinal axis of said implement tube and, thereafter, extending in a direction away from said upper end of said implement tube and substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said implement tube, at least one of said tines having a length along said longitudinal axis of said implement tube that is different than the length along the longitudinal axis of said implement tube of another tine.  
     
     
         18 . The tool assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said tines project radically outward from the longitudinal axis of said implement tube;  
     
     
         19 . The tool assembly of  claim 17 , wherein each tine has a length along said longitudinal axis of said implement tube that is different than the length along said longitudinal axis of said implement tube of each of the remaining tines.  
     
     
         20 . The tool assembly of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said tines has a perpendicular distance from said implement tube that is different than a perpendicular distance between said implement tube and another tine.  
     
     
         21 . The tool assembly of  claim 20  further comprising a central tine connected to the lower end of said implement tube and extending away from said upper end of said implement tube along the longitudinal axis of said implement tube.  
     
     
         22 . The tool assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of tines, each connected to said lower end of said implement tube and initially projecting outward from the longitudinal axis of said implement tube and thereafter extending in a direction away from said upper end of said implement tube and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said implement tube, at least one of said tines having a perpendicular distance from said implement tube that is different than the perpendicular distance from said implement tube of another tine;  
     
     
         23 . The tool assembly of  claim 22 , wherein said tines project radically outward from the longitudinal axis of said implement tube.  
     
     
         24 . The tool assembly of  claim 22 , where in each tine has a perpendicular distance from said implement tube that is different than the perpendicular distance from said implement tube of each of the remaining tines.  
     
     
         25 . The tool assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a central tine connected to said lower end of said implement tube and extending away from said upper end of said implement tube along the longitudinal axis of said implement tube.  
     
     
         26 . The tool assembly of  claim 14  further comprises a base plate through which said tine is connected to said lower end of said implement tube.  
     
     
         27 . A handle for imparting torque about the longitudinal axis of a connected tube of a tool assembly, said handle comprising: 
 a middle section that extends outward from said connected tube in two opposite directions,    a handle tube having:    a lower end defining a hole and further including a crossmember fixed onto an inner surface of said handle tube,    an upper end connected to said middle section, and    two end sections extending outward from terminal ends of the middle section, each end section having a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axes of the end sections being substantially parallel to one another and lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said handle tube, said longitudinal axis of each end section further oriented such that neither is substantially tangential to an arc of any imaginary circle lying in said plane and having said upper end of said handle tube as its center, wherein said two end sections of said handle extend outward from terminal ends of the middle section at obtuse angles.    
     
     
         28 . The handle of  claim 26 , wherein the axis of said crossmember is substantially perpendicular to that of said handle tube; said hole is spaced-apart from said crossmember along the length of said implement tube; said hole has a central axis that is substantially 90 degrees from the axis of said crossmember.  
     
     
         29 . The handle of  claim 28  further comprised a second hole, wherein said first hole and said second hole of said handle tube each share a central axis that is substantially perpendicular to that of said handle tube and that of said crossmember of said handle tube.  
     
     
         30 . A handle for imparting torque about the longitudinal axis of a connected tube of a tool assembly, said handle comprising: 
 a middle section that extends outward from said main tube in two opposite directions;    a handle tube having:    a lower end defining a slot and including a detent proximate to said slot, said detent being moveable between an extended position and a retracted position and being biased toward said extended position,    a upper end connected to said middle section, and    two end sections extending outward from terminal ends of the middle section, each end section having a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axes of the end sections being substantially parallel to one another and lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said handle tube, said longitudinal axis of each end section further oriented such that neither is substantially tangential to an arc of any imaginary circle lying in said plane and having said upper end of said handle tube as its center, wherein said two end sections of said handle extend outward from terminal ends of the middle section at obtuse angles.    
     
     
         31 . The handle of  claim 30 , wherein said slot has a axis that is substantially perpendicular to that of said handle tube and that of said detent; and said detent is spaced-apart from said slot along the length of said handle tube.  
     
     
         32 . A tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, said tube defining a slot at a first end and including a detent proximate to said slot; said detent being moveable between an extended position and a retracted position and being biased toward said extended position.  
     
     
         33 . The tube of  claim 32 , further defines a second slot at said second end and includes a second detent proximate to said second slot; said second detent being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and being biased toward said extended position.  
     
     
         34 . The tube of  claim 33 , said first slot and said second slot each share a axis that is substantially perpendicular to that of said tube and that of said detent; and said detent is spaced-apart from said slot along the length of said handle tube; and said axis of said detent is substantially 90 degrees from that of said slot.  
     
     
         35 . A tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, said tube defining a hole at a first end and further including a crossmember fixed onto an inner surface of said tube.  
     
     
         36 . The tube of  claim 35 , wherein the axis of said crossmember is substantially perpendicular to that of said tube; said hole is spaced-apart from said crossmember along the length of said tube.  
     
     
         37 . The tube of  claim 36 , further defines a second hole at said second end and includes a second crossmember fixed onto an inner surface of said tube; wherein and said first hole and said second hole each share a central axis perpendicular to that of said tube and that of said first crossmemeber and said second crossmember of said tube; said second hole are spaced-apart from said crossmember along the length of said tube; and said second crossmember has a central axis that is substantially perpendicular to that of said tube.  
     
     
         38 . An implement of a tool assembly comprising: 
 an implement tube having a lower end and an upper end, said upper end defining a hole and further including a crossmember fixed onto an inner surface of said implement tube;    wherein the axis of said crossmember is substantially perpendicular to that of said implement tube; said hole is spaced-apart from said crossmember along the length of said implement tube.    
     
     
         39 . The implement of  claim 38 , further defines a second hole at said second end and includes a second crossmember fixed onto an inner surface of said tube; wherein and said first hole and said second hole each share a central axis perpendicular to that of said implement tube and that of said crossmember of said implement tube; said second hole are spaced-apart from said crossmember along the length of said tube.  
     
     
         40 . The implement of  claim 39 , said implement is a tine having a wavy profile along the length of said tine, said wavy profile being connected to said lower end of said implement tube, and initially projecting outward from the longitudinal axis of said implement tube and, thereafter, extending in a direction away from said upper end of said implement tube and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said implement tube.  
     
     
         41 . An implement of a tool assembly comprising: 
 an implement tube having a lower end and an upper end, said upper end defining a detent proximate to said slot, said detent being moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, and being biased toward said extended position;    wherein the axis of said crossmember is substantially perpendicular to that of said implement tube; said hole is spaced-apart from said crossmember along the length of said implement tube; and said hole has a central axis that is angled from the axis of said crossmember.    
     
     
         42 . The implement of  claim 41 , wherein the implement tube further defines a second slot at said second end and a second detent proximate to said second slot, said second detent being moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, and being biased toward said extended position; said first detent and said second detent each share a central axis; said first slot and said second slot each share a central axis; said central axis of said first detent and said second detent is substantially perpendicular to that of said first slot and said second slot and that of the implement tube; said first and second detent are spaced-apart from said crossmember along the length of said tube.  
     
     
         43 . The implement of  claim 42 , wherein said implement is a tine having a wavy profile along the length of said tine, said wavy profile being connected to said lower end of said implement tube, and initially projecting outward from the longitudinal axis of said implement tube and, thereafter, extending in a direction away from said upper end of said implement tube and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said implement tube.  
     
     
         44 . A tool assembly comprising: 
 a main tube having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, said main tube defining a first hole at said first end and -a second hole at said second end and further including a first crossmember fixed onto the inner surface of said main tube,    a tine including a tine tube having a lower end and an upper end, said upper end defining a slot and including a detent proximate to said slot, said detent being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and being biased towards said extended position, and    a handle including a handle tube having a lower end and an upper end, said lower end defining a slot and including a detent proximate to said slot, said detent being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and being biased towards said extended position;    wherein said main tube, said implement tube and said handle tube are so configured that when said tine tube and said handle tube are inserted into said main tube, said detents of said tine tube and said handle tube are secured within said first hole and said second hole of said main tube respectively, and said first crossmember and said second crossmember of said main tube rest against said slots of said tine tube and said handle tube respectively, whereby said main tube is securely connected to said implement tube and said handle tube.    
     
     
         45 . The tool assembly of  claim 44 , wherein said crossmember has a central axis that is substantially perpendicular to that of said main tube; said first hole and said second hole are spaced-apart from said crossmember along the length of said main tube; said first hole and said second hole each share a central axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of said main tube and said crossmember.  
     
     
         46 . The tool assembly of  claim 45 , wherein said first detent and said second detent of said implement tube each share a central axis; said first slot and said second slot of said implement tube each share a central axis; said central axis of said first detent and said second detent is substantially perpendicular to that of said first slot and said second slot of said implement tube and that of said implement tube; and said first detent and said second detent of said handle tube each share a central axis; said first slot and said second slot of said handle tube each share a central axis; said central axis of said first detent and said second detent is substantially perpendicular to that of said first slot and said second slot of said handle tube and that of said handle tube.